Jonathan's dad, Sigfredo, arrived from Puerto Rico on Thursday and saw his son start a Major League game for the first time on Friday. It happened to be his best.

"Probably God's decision," Sigfredo Sanchez said through an interpreter when asked why he chose to see this particular start. "My [other] son said to come."

The elder Sanchez added that his other son, Sigfredo Jr., urged him to see Jonathan pitch because he had been in the bullpen and was taking the ball for a make-or-break start, his first in nearly three weeks.

"I was so pumped that he was here, watching me," Jonathan Sanchez said.

Sigfredo Sanchez had seen his son pitch out of the bullpen at the Major League level but never saw him pitch nine long innings.

The proud father said with a smile, "I was expecting him to get tired."

Andrew Pentis is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.